St. Petersburg Mar 21–25, 2018

A Heavenly Gift

IN ANCIENT TIMES, China was heralded as the Land of the Divine. So majestic was its culture that it was thought to be a gift from above. Its
people sought to live their lives in harmony with nature and the universe. It was a world rich with creativity, beauty, and virtue. We now invite
you to visit this lost civilization, through Shen Yun.

Shen Yun pushes the boundaries of the performing arts, melding timeless artistry with cutting-edge innovation—transporting you to a
world where legends come to life. Discover the breathtaking beauty of classical Chinese dance, and treat yourself to Shen Yun’s unique blend
of costuming, high-tech backdrops, and live orchestra. Be prepared for a theater experience like no other.

A Heritage Once Lost

The traditional Chinese culture Shen Yun presents cannot be seen anywhere else in the world—not even in China. There, the ruling
communist regime has viewed China’s rich spiritual and artistic heritage as a threat to its ideology, and for decades sought to erase it. Chinese
artists have suffered untold ordeals over the past century.

But in 2006, a group of Chinese artists came together in New York with a vision of preserving the best of China’s cultural heritage and
sharing it with the world. They drew courage and inspiration from their shared practice of Falun Dafa (or “Falun Gong,” as it is also called)—a
spiritual discipline common to all of Shen Yun’s artists. The company’s repertoire regularly includes important works shedding light on the
plight of believers like themselves in communist China today.

Full Houses Everywhere

Shen Yun is now the world’s premier classical Chinese dance
company. Some people fly from other countries or drive hundreds
of miles to see it. Others see the same performance five or six
times. Why? There’s only one way to find out, and that’s to
experience Shen Yun yourself.

Shen Yun–Leaving Millions in Awe

There is a massive power in this that can embrace the world. It brings great hope... It is truly a touch of heaven.

—Daniel Herman,
Minister of Culture of the Czech Republic

Exquisitely beautiful. An extraordinary experience for us and the children.

—Cate Blanchett,
Academy Award-winning actress

This is a very hopeful performance... I’m leaving inspired, Shen Yun will convey a very positive energy, a sense of hope.

—Hon. Irwin Cotler,
former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

—Chi Cao,
star of Mao’s last dancer, principal dancer of Birmingham Royal Ballet

Really out of this world! There is no word to describe it... If I had to, the words might be ‘divine,’ ‘reborn’ and ‘hope’... You have to see it to believe it.

—Christine Walevska,
Master Cellist

It has transcended the technique... they’re performing through their spirit... It's a breath of fresh air, I felt the senses of happiness and peace.

—Elvis Stojko,
figure skater, World champion & Olympic medalist

This is the ultimate performance. I felt like I was in heaven. If people watch this production, their inner souls will be purified. This really is a performance for the very fortunate.

—Choi Yun Xi,
Korean award-winning dance artist

My heart was open and I started to cry. The spirit of hope, beauty, and blessing... it’s a fabulous gift to us.

—Sine Mckenna,
award-winning Celtic singer

Beautiful... A nimble mastery of traditional talents.

—Chicago Tribune

Simply astounding to watch and a pleasure to the ear.

—Opera Online

Extraordinary costumes and vigorous physicality.

—Denver Post

Brilliant choreography... Extravagantly beautiful!

—Broadway World

SHEN YUN HAS only been around for a decade, but these days,
wherever it goes theaters are packed. Some people fly from other countries or
drive hundreds of miles to see it. Others see the same show six times. Why? Many
say there are no words to describe it—you have to see it with your own eyes.

The Clearwater/St. Petersburg area has consistently gained a reputation as one of the most cultural areas on Florida's west coast, thanks to wonderful entertainment venues that offer first-rate performing arts, from concerts to plays and musicals.

The Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg, part of the Progress Energy Center for the Arts, is one such venue. (The Progress Energy Center also includes a 7-acre park and a plaza for public and flexible use.) This European-style theater is truly one of the most elegant theaters in Florida and it continues to attract music aficionados from all over the greater Tampa area and beyond with its fine array of offerings. The Mahaffey Theater was originally opened in the 1950s as part of a complex known as the Bayfront Center. During renovations in the late 1980s, the venue changed its name to honor a local family that had been particularly generous with funds for the refurbishment.

The theater once again underwent extensive renovations and much was added to the venue when the Bayfront Center Arena was torn down in 2004, allowing for a huge increase in size. About $20 million was spent on this project, which added significant space to the lobby, ballrooms, and guest amenity areas.

Today, the theater seats 2,030 audience members in European box-style seating reminiscent of the grand old opera theaters in cities like Rome, Paris, and London. Mahaffey Theater dons elegant red velvet seats, beautiful chandeliers, and a three-story glass curtain wall and glass enclosed atrium that overlooks the water.

Plan Your Visit

Map & Directions

DRIVING DIRECTIONS

Take I-275 (south from Tampa, north from Brandenton/Sarasota) to Exit 22 (I-175).

Follow Route I-175 (which will become 5th Avenue South) to 1st Street South. The Mahaffey will be in front of you.

Continue straight on and enter through Gate #4 OR turn left onto 1st Street South and turn right at Gate #1.

From there, follow the directions given by the parking attendants.

Convenient on-site parking is available for $5. Valet parking is not available at this time.

We suggest arriving at least 45 minutes prior to show time.

As a courtesy to the performers and audience, latecomers are only seated at the management's discretion.